The family that cyclocrosses together stays together

It’s rare to find a sport that an entire family can participate in and enjoy. One family has found such a sport in cyclocross.

Nancy White

It’s rare to find a sport that an entire family can participate in and enjoy. One family has found such a sport in cyclocross.

While the name makes many think of motorcycles or dirt bikes, cyclocross is a type of bike racing. It’s a timed race around a short course of about 1.5 to 2 miles featuring a combination of grass, pavement, wooded trails, steep hills, stairs and barrier obstacles. It’s a niche sport but has a growing following in New England.

The Morse family of Cohasset, Mass., are avid participants. Sam Morse has been involved in cycling for more than 20 years, principally as a road cyclist. About 10 years ago, he got back into competing in cyclocross races and hasn’t looked back.

“A lot of cyclists do [cyclocross] to extend their cycling season, stay fit and it’s fun,” he said. Cyclocross became a family activity once his son Nate, a seventh-grader at Cohasset Middle School, started competing at 9 years old.

“It’s something we can do together as a family," Trish Morse said. After several years of primarily being a spectator of the sport, she decided to give cyclocross a shot this past season. Last spring, she trained to participate in the 100-mile Best Buddies charity cycling ride, and all three family members completed the race.

While Sam Morse said the family is atypical in having all family members participate in the sport, it just goes to show how versatile and welcoming the sport is. There are five different skill levels — from novice to professional — where one can compete, and age groups defined by every five to 10 years.

The sport is still dominated by men, but Trish Morse said there is a growing number of women joining cycling and cyclocross. She plans on starting a team of women older than 40 next season.

Cyclocross as a sport started in Europe as a way road cyclists could stay fit beyond the regular spring and summer season. Over time, cyclocross became an individual sport on its own merits. In the late 1970s it started gaining popularity in the U.S., particularly in the Pacific Northwest and New England.

“It’s the fastest growing aspect of cycling in terms of numbers in the U.S.,” Trish Morse said.

The cyclocross bicycles are similar to racing bicycles: lightweight with narrow tires and drop handlebars. But, because of the varying conditions, the tires typically are knobbier for increased traction and are equipped with a different brake system. The bikes need to be lightweight because racers need to dismount from their bikes to get over 16-inch barriers or to quickly ascend a steep hill.

“From a kid’s perspective, it’s a mini adventure every time on the course,” Trish Morse said. Each fall, Nate sets up a shortened version of a cyclocross course to practice. He has a set of barriers, a section of grass (which is sometimes covered with snow or ice) and the driveway for pavement.

In a full-length cyclocross course, there are pit stops, similar to stock car racing, where cyclists can change bikes if the tires get too muddy or if there is a technical issue.

In addition to the athleticism and competition, the Morses enjoy the family atmosphere and community feel at the weekend events.

“Families at cyclocross have become some of our dearest friends. It’s a big community,” Trish Morse said. While on the racecourse, Nate and his fellow competitors vie for top position, but the minute it's over, the contention evaporates, Trish Morse said.

In addition to the welcoming community, the sport is accessible because it involves a skill most already have: riding a bike, Trish said, and can be practiced anywhere at any time.

But if jumping on a bike in 30 degree whether isn’t your cup of tea, cyclocross is an exciting spectator sport. At larger venues, as many as 100 cyclists can be in one race. With little space — the course width is typically only 4 meters — competition can be fierce.

“Of all the cycling disciplines, it’s the most fun to watch,” Trish Morse said, “there’s so much variety for the spectators and the riders.”

For more information on cyclocross, visit www.usacycling.org/cx.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Community Info

Sports

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
St. James Plaindealer - St. James, MN ~ 604 1st Ave. So., (P.O. Box 67), St. James, MN 56081 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service